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Behind the Cards

Lamine Yamal Rookie Card Smashes Six-Figure Mark

Last night, Lamine Yamal’s Topps Chrome UEFA Euro 2024 Superfractor Auto 1/1 sold for an astonishing £105,213 at Goldin Auctions.

At just 17 years old, Yamal has already created history, becoming the youngest player to win the UEFA European Championship at Euro 2024, whilst also deservedly earning the prestigious Young Player of the Tournament award. Yamal’s meteoric rise has sparked intense interest in his rookie cards, culminating in a historic sale yesterday evening that broke the £100,000 barrier for the first time. This sale marks a milestone for football cards, underscoring the increasing value of modern releases and the importance of rookie cards as investment pieces, with collectors betting on Yamal’s long-term success.

This Superfractor, featuring him in the Spain kit from Euro 2024, captures a moment of national pride and emerging brilliance, with the market recognising it as the definitive Lamine Yamal card.

Product Watch

Popular Products: Global Price Trends and Changes

26 February 2025 - 28 March 2025

Featured on Graph Above (average price per hobby box):

• Topps Stadium Club Chrome UEFA Champions League 2020/21 — £198 (0%)

• Topps Chrome Steve Aoki UEFA Champions League 2020/21 — £154 (0%)

• Panini Select UEFA Euro 2020 — £201 (0%)

• Panini Mosaic La Liga 2020/21 — £132 (-12%)

• Topps Finest Bundesliga 2020/21 — £92.70 (0%)

• Topps Inception UEFA Champions League 2020/21 — £695 (0%)

  (figures in brackets indicate last sale change %)

Featured on Graph Above (average price per hobby box):

• Panini Prizm Premier League 2021/22 — £135 (+26%)

• Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League 2021/22 — £92.69 (-4%)

• Topps Museum UEFA Champions League 2021/22 — £181 (-13%)

• Topps Merlin Chrome UEFA Champions League 2021/22 — £141 (0%)

• Topps Stadium Club Chrome UEFA Champions League 2021/22 — £177 (+15%)

• Topps Finest UEFA Champions League 2021/22 — £134 (+2%)

  (figures in brackets indicate last sale change %)

Platform Breakdown

2024/25 Topps Knockout UEFA Women’s Champions League!

Topps’ latest release commemorates the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout stages, following closely on the heels of their men’s 2024/25 Topps UEFA Club Competitions Knockout set, which was released the week of February 17, 2025.

The 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League is in full swing, triggering the release of 2024/25 Topps Knockout UEFA Women’s Champions League, a 60-card set featuring the eight quarter-finalists of Europe’s premier women’s club trophy: Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Wolfsburg, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Lyon. The chase rookies promoted by Topps in their product description are Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), and Maria Mendez (Real Madrid), and dual autograph chasers are quoted as Aitana Bonmatí / Alexia Putella (Barcelona) and Caroline Graham Hansen / Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona). Each box will contain 6 packs of 5 cards, and for the first time the product will guarantee one autograph per box, as well as two numbered parallels, improving the product’s appeal, but also increasing its price.

The product was priced at £65 per box (previously £34.99 per box), and was available from March 18, 2025 to April 1, 2025 on the Topps website, however sold out quickly, as buyers now await delivery.

Card Watch

Lionel Messi: A World Cup Journey Through Cards

Lionel Messi’s World Cup story is one of perseverance and ultimate triumph, from his rookie appearance in Panini’s 2006 World Cup set to his crowning glory at Qatar 2022, Messi’s World Cup cards tell the story of one of the greatest players to ever play the beautiful game.

Messi’s World Cup journey began in Germany in 2006, where Argentina’s campaign ended in a quarter-final exit on penalties to the host nation, with Messi watching from the bench as an unused substitute. Even so, at just 18-years-old he became Argentina’s youngest-ever scorer in the tournament, and although Lionel Messi’s #47 Panini World Cup 2006 rookie card lacks the visual flair of later releases, it may present an intriguing investment opportunity for collectors who are willing to seek out high-quality raw cards, which can potentially yield significant returns when graded. At the 2010 World Cup, Lionel Messi’s quest for success was hindered by his struggles to integrate in a team coached by Diego Maradona, whose genius was often overshadowed by controversy, despite being one of the few players whose on-field brilliance rivaled Messi’s own. Messi’s noteworthy card from this tournament is his 2010 Panini Premium World Cup South Africa #44, which has a current Card Ladder value of £508.

Then in 2014 Panini released its Prizm brand as a football card set for the first time, marking a new era in football card collecting, and providing the hobby with some highly collectable and immensely valuable Messi World Cup cards, two of which I have featured below in this week’s Card Watch.

Following further disappointment in 2018, as we all know Messi’s World Cup story then peaked in Qatar 2022, where he led Argentina to their first title since 1986, cementing his legacy as arguably the greatest player of all time, and creating football cards that have become instant classics.

Below, I’ve used Card Ladder data to showcase a range of options that highlight the potential value available to collectors across all budgets.

PS: If you decide to sign up for Card Ladder using my affiliate link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me continue to provide valuable content through ND Soccer Capital. Thank you!

Collecting Lionel Messi’s World Cup cards offers a lifelong project with genuine investment potential, safe in the knowledge you are collecting a true sporting legend.

All data courtesy of Card Ladder—Why not discover how Card Ladder can enhance your card collecting experience?

You’ve Pulled!

A celebration of recent big card pulls!

Congratulations to @theyorkshirechris & @robertohits69 for hitting these awesome cards!

If anyone pulls anything big please feel free to hit me up on Instagram! @ndsoccercapital

As I conclude this issue of ND Soccer Capital, I hope you found the insights into Lionel Messi’s market value informative and engaging. Stay tuned for future updates on emerging trends and the most valuable cards to watch in the dynamic world of football collecting.

• Explore More: Dive deeper into the world of football cards in my upcoming issues — Who Am I?

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Disclaimer: ND Soccer Capital provides information and opinions about sports card investing for educational purposes only. We are not financial advisors, and our content should not be considered investment advice. Investing in sports cards carries substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. The value of cards can fluctuate significantly based on various factors, including player performance, market trends, and condition. Any investment decisions you make are solely your responsibility. ND Soccer Capital, its owners, employees, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from your investment choices. Always conduct your own research and consider seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.